Brain Injuries Can Severely Impact Your Life

Brain injuries are a type of catastrophic injury that can range from minor injuries to traumatic events and life-threatening and can seriously affect your life and future. From sports injuries to car accidents and slip-and-falls, brain injuries can quickly alter your life and your loved ones’ lives.

What is a “Mild” Traumatic Brain Injury?

Medical professionals categorize brain injuries as either “mild” or “severe.” The injury is considered mild if any resulting loss of consciousness or confusion and disorientation lasts less than 30 minutes. While an MRI or CAT scan may show no abnormal brain activity, the victim may still experience memory loss, difficulty solving complex issues, headaches, mood swings, or inability to focus.

The classification of a “mild” brain injury may be misleading and dangerous for several reasons:

• 15% of people who suffer mild TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries) continue experiencing debilitating symptoms, including those listed above, despite visible signs disappearing quickly.
• The hospital often releases victims of a mild TBI within hours, but often the patient learns they had not fully recovered by continuing to experience symptoms. The victim may experience these symptoms later and not connect the events to the “mild” injury.
• Many people who suffer mild brain injuries may never seek medical help because they “feel okay.” Later, problems resulting from the injury may begin to appear.

What are “Severe” Brain Injuries?

A severe brain injury generally includes loss of consciousness for more than half an hour, memory loss, and can include injuries that penetrate the skull. A severe TBI can result in loss of higher-order brain function to comatose states. Some victims may have limited mobility, loss of use of their extremities, impaired speech or vision, memory loss, emotional problems, or inability to think. Many people never recover, and long-term rehabilitation is typically necessary.

Brain injuries can impair your ability to work, perform essential life functions, or participate in activities. Therefore, it’s important to speak with an attorney if you have suffered a brain injury due to an accident. Even a mild injury can result in severe disruption to your life.

Contact a Personal Attorney

At Saladino & Schaaf, we have years of experience representing Kentuckians in personal injury lawsuits. If you have been injured through no fault of your own, contact us online or at 270-444-0406 (Paducah Office) or 270-753-1529 (Murray Office) to schedule a free consultation today. You may be entitled to significant compensation, but the clock is ticking.